How to Vote by Mail / Absentee

What Is Absentee / Mail-In Voting?

Absentee voting, also called mail-in voting or vote-by-mail, allows you to cast your ballot without going to a polling place in person. You receive a paper ballot at your mailing address, fill it out at home, and return it by mail or at a designated drop-off location. This method of voting has been used in the United States for over 150 years and is a secure, convenient option for millions of voters in every election.

Who Can Vote Absentee?

Eligibility rules for absentee voting depend on your state:

• No-excuse absentee voting: The majority of states allow any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Some states automatically mail ballots to all registered voters.
• Excuse-required absentee voting: A smaller number of states require voters to provide a qualifying reason for voting absentee, such as being away from their home county on Election Day, illness or disability, work obligations, or military service.

Check your state's rules to determine whether you need to provide a reason when requesting your ballot.

How to Request an Absentee Ballot

The process for requesting an absentee ballot varies by state but generally involves these steps:

• Visit your state or county election office website to find the absentee ballot application
• Complete the application with your name, registered address, mailing address, and any required identification information
• Submit the application online, by mail, by fax, or in person depending on what your state allows
• Meet the application deadline, which is typically 7 to 14 days before the election

Some states allow you to sign up for a permanent absentee voter list, which means you will automatically receive a ballot for every election without needing to submit a new application each time.

Completing Your Ballot

When your ballot arrives, read all instructions carefully before marking it. Use the correct type of pen or marker as specified in the instructions (typically black or blue ink). Fill in the ovals, boxes, or arrows completely next to your chosen candidates. Review your selections before sealing the ballot in the provided envelopes. Most states require you to sign the outer envelope, and your signature must match the one on file with your voter registration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to sign the outer return envelope
• Using the wrong type of writing instrument
• Failing to use all required envelopes (secrecy envelope and return envelope)
• Missing the return deadline
• Making stray marks on the ballot that could cause scanning issues

Returning Your Ballot

You can return your absentee ballot in several ways, depending on your state:

• By mail: Place your completed ballot in the return envelope and mail it with adequate postage. Mail it early to ensure it arrives by the deadline. Some states require ballots to be received by Election Day, while others accept ballots postmarked by Election Day.
• Drop-off locations: Many jurisdictions provide secure drop boxes or designated drop-off sites where you can deliver your ballot in person.
• In person at your election office: You can typically hand-deliver your ballot to your county or city election office.

Tracking Your Ballot

Many states offer ballot tracking tools that let you monitor the status of your absentee ballot from the time it is mailed to you through its receipt and acceptance by election officials. Check your state election office website for tracking options. If your ballot is rejected for any reason, such as a missing or mismatched signature, most states will contact you and provide an opportunity to correct the issue before the certification deadline. This process is called ballot curing.

Security of Mail-In Voting

Absentee and mail-in voting incorporate multiple layers of security to protect the integrity of each ballot. These include signature verification, unique barcodes linked to individual voters, secure chain-of-custody procedures for ballot handling, and criminal penalties for fraud. Election officials from both major parties oversee the processing and counting of mail-in ballots. Every state has procedures to ensure that each voter can cast only one ballot per election.